Life Notes of the Adopted Daughter of Tony Stark

Chapter 3: No One Can Ever Hurt You... Or Say They Say

All I felt coursing through my body beforehand, the agony, fear, helplessness... all that had been swirling around inside of me, were all numbed by steady, reassuring warmth and the feeling of wind under my wings; but not by my own power of course. I didn't know who had me, but they were scaly. And I really didn't care; I felt safe and too tired to give a crap. I didn't know why.

I still fought to stay awake, even though soon enough I would lose that fight. But while I was still conscious, I took in everything I could.

I could hear the sound of muffled voices and a far off sound of thrumming. I didn't care. Finally losing the fight, I fell into obsidian nightfall like it was an eternal ocean. I didn't care. It was calming and peaceful as I floated; a black, dreamless sleep that occupied my time for what seemed like for eternity. All I knew then was darkness. Sweet, sweet darkness... I didn't care.

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Unknown PoV

The wind from the Helicarrier became stronger as the tiresome five progressed. The Avengers and their parade of strange friends landed on the Helicarrier's deck and immediately were confronted by Director Nick Fury.

"Is she safe?" the director called over the roar of the engines.

"Joyceann needs immediate attention on the wounds she's acquired," replied Thor in the same volume. Fury then gestured them to follow him into the heart of the Helicarrier. As they passed screens, Tony would just get a glance and then shudder internally at all the damage being brought on.

"She's a real glutton for punishment, isn't she?" noted Nick, taking discern of the damage done to the girl.

"A good way of describing it," Terrence replied. "I guess you can say she is. She is like that though, and I quote her, because she's 'programmed to protect.'"

"She said that a lot, even before Mission City," Tony said soullessly, still paying more attention to the monitors as they all strolled by the command center.

Fury glimpsed back long enough to see the desperate look on the billionaire's face. "Stark, everything is under control here; you're dismissed."

"Pardon?"

"You heard me; get your metal ass out of here."

"Are you sure it's okay?" asked the amazed billionaire. He knew Fury wanted him to fight, but the S.H.I.E.L.D. director also knew that Iron Man's family was just as equally important to him as his city.

But Fury had to think smarty here; if Stark didn't fly back into the action, there would be no more family to worry about.

"Yes. Like I said Stark, everything here is under control. We need all the help we can get done there, not up here." Iron Man left with a nod, his suit clanking as he walked. Loket, Shadowstar, Thor, and Terrence kept following Fury.

The halls and corridors of the Helicarrier were bustling with activity in reaction to New York's attack like an ant colony; little busy bodies scurried back and forth from station to station with reports, updates, and the occasional coffee.

Loket watched the screens as the fighting continued, anger slowly building inside her; Terrence, not the type that liked to be cooped up for long, ignored his claustrophobia and pressed forward; Thor watched the chaos on the monitors too, and, not to mention, antsy as well to be back in the fray of battle to derail his adopted brother's plan.

Terrence looked at his 'sister' and smiled. "Looks like old Sparky fell asleep."

Loket craned his neck to look. He was right; Joyceann was now sound asleep, having finally given up on fighting. "When do you think she'll wake up?" she asked.